Oakham Businesses Face Challenges Amid Ongoing Roadworks

A local shop owner has voiced apprehension regarding Christmas sales, asserting that ongoing town centre roadworks have resulted in a decline in customer numbers. Residents have also reported increased difficulty accessing parts of Oakham since construction commenced on Brooke Road in July. Although restrictions have now been eased for two hours daily to facilitate access for schoolchildren, Craig Smith, proprietor of Foxy Lots gift store on nearby Mill Street, observed: “You can just tell that it’s just not a busy street at the moment.” The work on Brooke Road involves widening the thoroughfare and constructing an entrance for a new 40-home housing development. Contractors Burmor Construction and Rutland County Council have issued apologies for the disruption. To enhance accessibility to the town centre, an expanded bus service is being made available for residents and shoppers. Mr. Smith characterized the current situation as “dire,” noting that his establishment should be experiencing a surge in patrons with the festive season approaching. He further stated: “We’re heading up to peak trading now, so all our Christmas products are out, and really we should see a massive uplift now, and really it’s not come yet.” Local residents have also expressed their concerns. Peter Comber mentioned that he and his 80-year-old wife, Jill, face an extended route to reach the town centre because of the Brooke Road closure. He added: “Most of us [here] are elderly, and we do have a problem walking right the way round.” Mrs. Comber believes the road closure “must be making an impact” on commercial activity in Mill Street. “You just decide not to go this end of the high street; it is too much of a journey, really.” In contrast, Heidi Kjeldsen, who has operated her jewellery store, Heidi Kjeldsen Ltd, on Mill Street since 1998, has not encountered significant issues thus far. Ms. Kjeldsen commented: “I’m finding people are coming and finding their way here without too many problems.” She acknowledged: “It is annoying for them, I get that.” She elaborated: “People are coming to me with a repair or an inquiry, so I’m not really just relying on people walking past me.” Rutland County Council announced that the reopening of Brooke Road would be postponed until November 30, citing “significant issues outside of Burmor Construction Ltd’s control.” A council statement attributed these delays to tree felling and the “discovery of various utility services” that were not indicated in existing plans or records. A council statement also conveyed: “Both Burmor Construction Ltd and Rutland County Council apologise for the inconvenience that residents are experiencing because of the closure to Brooke Road.” It added: “Regular users of this route will see a marked improvement in traffic and congestion once the work is complete, together with the building of 40 much-needed affordable homes.” Existing arrangements for Brooke Road residents, including suspended parking bays, will remain unchanged throughout the extended closure period.